Northumberland based Businessman, Barrie Rhodes, has joined an impressive line-up of the regions private sector professionals to guide the economic recovery of the North of Tyne.

Barrie, who has lived in the North East for almost 20 years, is a Business Development Director at CPI, a North East based company that supports innovative companies to commercialise their products and processes. The respected Director will now use his expertise on the NTCA Growth Fund Panel to award funding to SME’s in the North of Tyne.

Barrie said: “I’m very proud of living in the North East and working alongside people from the North East. We have many strong companies in our region, and I’m privileged to be involved in the processes that sit behind the fund”.

Barrie Rhodes is a Business Development Director at CPI

Barrie Rhodes is a Business Development Director at CPI

North of Tyne cabinet member for Economic Growth Cllr Bruce Pickard said: “Now more than ever, support for businesses in the North of Tyne is key.

“The business and local knowledge of our private sector panel members will allow us to best allocate the funds throughout our communities.

“Through collaboration, the Growth Fund Panel will be able to award funding and support to our SMEs, which will improve our economy, employment and long-term growth.”

The North of Tyne Growth Fund panel consists of private and public sector representatives and its role is to review funding applications and award funding, from the NTCA Growth Fund, to SME’s across Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle upon Tyne.

The Growth Fund, chaired by NTCA Director, Henry Kippin, is backed, in part, by the European Regional Development Fund, with £4.6m provided to help strengthen local organisations.

 

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